Tottenham vs Bournemouth tips and predictions: Expect carnage as maverick managers clash
Dominic Solanke
Two of the Premier League's surprise packages, Tottenham and Bournemouth, clash in what should be an enthralling and wide-open contest on Sunday afternoon (1400 GMT).
We can only apologise in advance if this turns out to be a dire 0-0 draw because we’re going out on a limb and predicting this will be absolute carnage.
With four full-backs playing a remarkably high line against Bournemouth’s counter and one of the most in-form strikers in European football running in behind, what could go wrong?
Tottenham’s 4-2 defeat at the hands of Brighton demands a response and Ange Postecoglou’s side have fared well at home, winning six of nine and their last two.
Despite averaging 2.33 goals per game, Spurs have failed to win three of their last six and their last 10 games have averaged 3.9 goals.
Bournemouth have won six of seven and scored at least two goals in each. They’ve also won their last four away from home, averaging 2.75 goals per game.
This will be the Cherries' sixth meeting with a side currently in the top five and there have been over 3.5 goals in four of them.
Even before the eccentric football geniuses that are Big Ange and Andoni Iraola arrived, these sides had previous form.
Three of five meetings have finished 3-2, including last season's clashes, and Tottenham recorded 5-0 and 4-1 wins a few years back.
So, to bring this full circle, we apologise if this game is a waste of 90 minutes. However, it has the makings of the game of the season if it catches fire.
Team news
Ivan Perisic, Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven, Rodrigo Bentancur, James Maddison, Ryan Sessegnon and Manor Solomon are unavailable due to injury.
Yves Bissouma is still serving a suspension for a straight red card.
Tyler Adams, Lewis Cook, Milos Kerkez, Lloyd Kelly, Ryan Fredericks, Hamed Traore and Emiliano Marcondes are ruled out.
Luis Sinisterra may have earned himself a start if Iraola opts for fresh legs in attack but Dominic Solanke looks undroppable.
Key stats
- Tottenham’s previous 10 matches have averaged just shy of four goals
- Bournemouth have scored at least two goals in each of their last seven
- Bournemouth’s last 13 matches have averaged 3.61 goals per game
- The last eight meetings have averaged over 3.5 goals
- Three of five meetings have finished 3-2
